articles/Gear/bagsspace-page4

Bags of Space - part 4 of 1 2 3 4 5 6

by Mike McNamee Published 01/04/2012

ABOVE: A view of the ICU.

ABOVE TOP: The plain Satori and, on the right, with additional side packs, tripod and belt pouches.

f-stop Satori

This bag moves up a gear from the Booq series and is intended for serious field work, outdoors, in all weathers. The bag is impressively light for a camera bag, with many features taken from mountaineering rucksacks. It is also designed for versatility and expansion with clip-on pocket facilities to a universal design. The design is modular to the extent that a number of internal camera units (ICUs) may be interchanged for different trips and occasions. For example on a day's walk you might install the large ICU and bear the weight of a lot of camera gear whereas for a longer trip you might need more protective gear, food and drink, at the expense of camera gear. At 62 litres there is plenty of inherent space, but the bag is literally festooned in straps and attachment points for adding other bags, another 20 litres would not be out of the question. The straps will also hold walking poles, ice axes or a tripod.

A size comparison between the Booq Python Pack and the f-Stop Satori.

It is instructive to compare the Satori with regular walkers' and climbers' sacks. Generally 25-32 litres is consider 'day sack' size. Over 50 litres they tend to be called backpacks and above 60 litres the expression 'expedition pack' is used. These packs are frequently extendible via a top-tube of material and a 55 litre sack may be billed as 55+10 extension+6l of side pockets. Generally these walkers' sacks are less padded than camera-specific bags and weigh less - for example a Berghaus 60 litres ladies' sack weighs in at 1.73kg. On a website such as Cotswold you will find 130 day sacks (including colour variants) and 17 back packs (four women's sizes, three men's and three unisex). They range in capacity from 65 to 80 litres and in weigh from 1.8kg to 2.8kg. The women's sacks have specially cut-away shoulder straps to clear the bust and make for more comfortable carrying. This class of sacks is also available in a variety of back lengths and, universally, the waist belts and shoulder straps are highly adjustable. This is vital; 80% of the weight should be carried on the waist so the strapping and belt arrangements have to suit the wearer. Smaller photographers (which includes many women and also your editor) can have a hard time finding a suitable size of sack. If you are outside the normal size range then adapting a walking sack is a serious consideration, especially as it will also save you money. The Satori retails at £310 whereas you can pick up a day pack or back pack from £69 upwards (but never

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